Bulgaria has elected its first woman president, with Iliana Yotova winning a runoff election that marks a historic milestone for the Balkan nation.
Yotova, 62, secured 57.58% of the vote, according to near-final results released by the Central Election Commission on Monday, November 2, with 99.95% of polling station protocols processed.
Her ticket with running mate Kiril Valchev defeated the opposition pairing of former caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev, who secured 39.47%.
Yotova had already been serving as Bulgaria’s president since January 2026, following the resignation of former President Rumen Radev, who stepped down to pursue a parliamentary career.
She previously served as vice-president under Radev for two consecutive terms after their elections in 2016 and 2021.
Before becoming vice-president, Yotova served as a member of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2017.
She was elected vice-president alongside Radev in 2016, and the pair were re-elected in 2021. She previously worked as a journalist at Bulgarian National Television
Her victory marks the first time Bulgaria has elected a woman to its presidency. The result comes after a campaign that focused on continuity and experience, with Yotova positioning herself as a steady hand amid political transitions.
The Central Election Commission is expected to certify the final results in the coming days. Yotova’s inauguration will follow, formally beginning her full term as the country’s head of state.
